Category Archives: Application

A couple months ago, Dana — the lovely editor of growing up zine — invited me to contribute to issue number one! I am very excited to have my work featured in this new “…zine about transitioning into adulthood — and the boons and blunders you may stumble upon along the way…”

According to Dana, rolling submissions are still accepted and the zine will hopefully be released by the end of the month. You can submit anything your heart desires, as long as it fits the overarching theme of GROWING UP! This could include anything relating to being in your 20s, life stories/experiences, horticulture, transitioning into the adult world, cultural and societal influences, etc. It can be poetry, prose, short stories, nonfiction, and so forth. There is no character limit and the format is open to contributor preference.

For more information, please check out growingupzine.tumblr.com. You can submit via Tumblr or email to growingupmag@gmail.com.

Only January, and I can already check #10 off my New Year’s resolutions list (New Year’s Resolutions, Anyone?). I have finally gotten an official internship in a field of my interest. 🙂

At the end of the month, I will start working at Zest Books, a publishing company focused on readers in their teens and early twenties!

Last week, I had an interview with Ann (Marketing and Editorial Associate) and was hired for the internship on the spot. It’s a small office in a really cool building/neighborhood and, on first impression, extremely friendly staff.

For this internship, I really feel like I’ll be able to utilize a number of my skills (writing, editing, social media, Japanese language & culture, etc.). I might also have an opportunity to do some freelance illustration work for them as well, which would be absolutely amazing! Plus, the internship is only a couple days a week, so I’ll still have ample time to continue my independent projects like The Poet and the Flea. Most of all, I’m excited to learn everything I possibly can about the business side of publishing!!

One really cool aspect of Zest Books is their Teen Advisory Board. They have a number of teen readers who work as interns and help the publishers figure out what kind of books teens would like to read/see published. According to Ann, the current Teen Advisory Board is really into anime/manga and Doctor Who — so I think I’ll get along with these kids just fine! 😀

Zest focuses on non-fiction titles, from memoirs to how-to books. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been really looking into their titles and have found a number of books that pique my interest. I’ve complied a list of my favorites below, so check them out!

Went to see The Hobbit with Wes and the folks! I was a major fan of The Lord of the Rings films when they first came out (and still am), so of course I was (and still am) super excited for The Hobbit. Even my dad, who was skeptical and didn’t really want to come, loved the movie (and even shed tears at the bromance between Bilbo and Thorin, I kid you not). (^-^) I know this is bizarre, but I think my favorite part was when the Great Goblin’s secretary cackled as he ziplined through the air!

Wes is so sweet and got me a Rose Vampire figurine from Super7 — IT’S SO CUTE!

Meeting with Gabe: I surprised myself by creating a rough draft for Elias in less than a week! Went through entire draft with Gabe, and discussed options for various pages. Next step, experiment with watercolors, markers, etc. to create samples in order to give Gabe a better idea of the final illustrations.

Meeting with Gabe went very well as always. Gabe took the time to cut and paste his entire story, Elias & The City of Cats, into a children’s book format to give me a better idea of what I need to illustrate. From this prototype, I’ll start working on a rough sketch storyboard!

Completed submissions package for Fantagraphics. Now, I just have to put in the mail!

Scanned character preliminary design for Elias and Ignis of Elias & The City of Cats. With this design, I was just experimenting with some Commedia dell’Arte (Pierrot & Harlequin) costumes which most likely won’t appear in the final children’s book. But Gabe seems to really like this image and wants to make some t-shirts. Any interest?

Saturday, October 27th

Last night and today, working on rough sketch storyboard for Elias & The City of Cats.

Did some experimenting with animation app on iPad.

Sunday, October 28th

Worked on figuring out the crazy California ballot (so many props!) so that I can vote early tomorrow.

Had a wonderful time with Wes today! Ate dinner at The Corner Store — both had these amazing “Grasshoppers” (crème de menthe, absinthe, chocolate, and vanilla ice cream). Can’t wait to see him again on Halloween! （○゜ε＾○）

Monday, October 29th

I voted today!!

Dropped submissions package for Fantagraphics in the mail!

Applied for a part-time writing job. Wish me luck!

Tuesday, October 30th

Working on rough sketch storyboard for Elias & The City of Cats.

Discovered that my short screenplay Death Is No Bad Friend made it to the Kaos Films British Short Screenplay Competition 2nd Round Qualifiers (announced earlier this month). I have no idea how many rounds this competition is, but does that mean that judge Sir Kenneth Branagh has read my screenplay? (｡♥‿♥｡)

Responded to a film director on Craigslist looking for a short screenplay, and got an almost immediate response of interest. Hoping this will be successful!

Sent an e-mail to Scout Books enquiring about collaboration and their Good Ink’s literary line.

Interesting Pixel-Flick Alliance Meetup today. According to Brian, the membership fee ($35) gets you a profile page on the Pixel-Flick website, an on-camera interview (2-5 minutes), among other freebees. Something to think about…

Sunday, September 16th

E-mail correspondence with potential production company about The Man Who Never Smiled. According to the Director of Photography/Assistant Director/Production Coordinator, a contract is currently being drafted!

Scheduled to meet with Gabe and his friend next Thursday (update: changed to Friday).

Thursday, September 20th

Continuing work on The Flea.

Working with Shannon on blog content for The First Reich.

Friday, September 21st

Continuing work on The Flea.

Today, received “BlueCat Screenplay Competition Analysis” for my full-length screenplay The Golden Curator. Overall very positive feedback! “What a neat and twisted little tale you have here… Even with all the craziness on the page, it never sounded like a campy comedy; instead, it was like a drawing room farce with just enough menace to make the viewer worry about the fate of our hero.”

Saturday, September 22nd

Today, very successful meeting with Shannon. I feel like we’re definitely on the same page, and that my ideas for this project are flowing and coalescing. I can’t wait to start outlining the first pages!!

Sunday, September 23rd

A bit of fun…

Monday, September 24th

Working on becoming better acquainted with the exhibitors at APE (Alternative Press Expo). There are a couple I most definitely want to check out, but I want to make sure I don’t miss anything!

GoFundMe.com doesn’t really seem to be helping me so far. I’m considering switching over to IndieGoGo.com and offering a variety of perks.

Tuesday, September 25th

Signed up with IMDbPro. Working on inquiry letters.

Etcetera

The Poet and the Flea: 47 pages of written script (1 page of script = 4-6 illustrated pages), and about 36 pages (1-24, 27-30 completed, and 25-26, 31-36 in progress) of illustrated work.